Dr Mahathir delighted over landmark deal to end Philippine conflict

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SEPANG: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was not claiming credit over the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which will take place in Manila on Oct 15.

“I’m not claiming any credit for this … I’m very glad Malaysia, the Philippine government and the people involved agreed to a settlement.

“Fighting each other, to me, is a waste of effort, waste of money and waste of life, and you don’t achieve anything also.

“But, you should come around to solving any such conflict in a very sensible way,” he said at a press conference after the Proton Green Mobility Challenge 2012 prize-giving ceremony here yesterday.

He said both sides had to make some sacrifice in order for all to benefit and have a win-win situation.

“Both sides have to make some sacrifice, otherwise if you stand and say, ‘no’, or say, ‘what I demand I must be given, otherwise there will be no peace’, then there will be no settlement,” added Dr Mahathir.

The unprecedented agreement was reached during the 32nd round of talks between the two parties here late Saturday.

The peace deal is significant to Malaysia, which offered its assistance to resolve the conflict by facilitating and hosting the talks. — Bernama